Folding-machine.



B 9 w .W u 0 B .t n 8 t a BI D Du A W A H N 9 a 2 6 0 N FULD IiNz'BEMACHINE.

(Application filed May 23, 1898.)

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

1 (No Model.)

l lllllllil lllllllll -m III;-

No. 628,798. Patent-ed July ll. I899.- N. HAYWARD.

FOLDING MACHINE.

{Application filed M11723, 1898.)

(No Model.) 4 fleets-855st 2. E15 5.

7/ ir 50 75 d l HI 6 I 2 6 1 564 a I a) w-d7msscs. iven-f d No. 628,798.Patented lul y 11, I899.

N. HAYWARD.

FOLDING MACHINE.

(No Modal.)

3 6 u 7 g 5 y '5- 7v, 1

witnsses Inve niorr (51 I I No. 628,798. Patented .Iuly ll, I899. N.HAYWARD.

FOLDING MACHINE.

Appl hon filed May 23 1898 '(No Model.)

4 SheetsSheqt 4.

fiizicnTOTJ witnesses:

NATHAN HAYlVARD, OF BROOKTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 628,798, dated July 11,1899. Application filed May 23,1898. SeriallimBSlAll. uremia To all!whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NATHAN HAYWARD, of Brockton, in the county ofPlymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Folding-Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to machines employed for folding pieces offlexible material, such as parts of shoe-uppers.

It has for its object to improve the opera tion and simplify theconstruction of ma chines of this class.

The invention consists inthe improvements which I shall now proceed todescribe and claim. i

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 represents a top plan view of a folding-machine constructed inaccordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of the same, partly in section. Fig.3 represents a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents a sideelevation. Fig. 5 represents a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Figs. 6 to9, inelusive, are detail sectional views, showing the successiveoperations of folding a piece of material. Fig. 10 represents asectional, view showing a modification of structure.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all thefigures.

The general features and manner of operation of the machine illustratedin the drawings may be briefly described as follows: I provide a doubleor compound machine, which permits one piece of work to be underpressure while another piece is being inserted or removed. The twofolding mechanisms employed are mounted on a rotary frame and aresimilar in construction, embodying each a vertically and horizontallymovable former, a vertically-movable folder-carrier supporting ahorizontally-sliding folder, and means for operating these parts to foldthe work and retain the same under pressure for a period of time andthen release the work forits removal.

Referring to the drawings, a is a base or standard formed with aninternal steam-condnit a, the ends of which may be connected withsteam-supply pipes a 0 The upper part of the base a is constructed witha stud formed and on whichis mounted a rotary frame b. On thisframe aremounted two fixed work-supportin g tables 0 c and the two foldingmechanisms. A description of one or shaft a in which the steam-conduitis of these mechanisms will suffice, as the two are alike.

d is a formencarrier secured to the tops of two rods or posts (Z d,extending through sockets d (1 formed in the frame. Springs (1 dsurround these rods inside the sockets and exert an upward pressurethereon. The lower ends of the rods are connected by a yoke (1 at themiddle point of which is formed a downwardly-projecting hooked plate (2The.inwardly-projecting lip or hook on the latter is arranged to beengaged by a hooked treadle-rod cl, normally projected upwardly by aspring (1 and operated by a treadle d When the treadle d is depressed,the former-carrier d is, moved downwardly toward the table 0, and whenreleased the carrier returns to its normal raised position.

6 is a former-blade secured to a bar 6, which is supported byits ends onshort parallel rods 6 6 held in brackets e a which are formed on thecarrier d.; Springs e interposed between the ends of the brackets e andthe said bar 0', operate to normally project the former inwardly. Amechanism for retracting the former is provided, consisting of a leveror handle e secured to the end of a rod e, to which are attached arms c6 engaging the ends of the bar 6'. hen the handle 6 is depressed, theformer-blade will be retracted,

and when released the said blade will be returned to its normal positionby the springs e.

f is a folder-carrier occupying a depression or recess h in the frame I)and supported at the upper ends of two posts ff, which extend throughsockets b 19 formed in the frame b. The upper ends of said sockets arereduced to make a bearing for the posts and to form shouldersagainstwhich springs f f abut. The lower ends of these springsareconfined by cylindrical 11 utsf f of a slightly smaller size than thebore of the sockets b and adapted to enter the latter. The springs exerttension which normally draws the carrier f downwardly. To the lower endsof the posts f is attached a bar 9 by means of nuts f f. The bar is heldbetween the nuts f and f and its position with respect to the posts fmay be changed by adjusting said nuts. bring this side of the apparatusin front of the operator, the bar g comes over the top of a rod g, whichis operated by a treadle g When said treadle is depressed, the rod 9 isprojected upwardly against the bar g, and thereby raises the carrier f.On the upper side of the latter there is mounted a sliding folder-plateh, which is shown as guided by headed screws h 77., mounted in thecarrierf and occupying slots 71 72. in the sliding plate, though othersuitable mounting may be provided for the plate. Two springs h hoccupying sockets in the folder it and abutting against ears or lips 7L7;, attached to the carrierf, normally project the folder in thedirection of the work-supporting table 0.

dis a cam-hook attached to the top of the stud or shaft d on the base aand adapted to engage a roller-stud 72/ on the plate h when the frame 1)is rotated in order to retract said plate when required. The cam-hook 'iis, as here shown, formed on a sleeve 2', which surrounds the reducedupper end of the shaft 61,

V and operates to retain the rotary frame Z) in place on the shaft. Thesleeve or collar 11 is held between a shoulder 2 on the shaft and acap-plate a which is secured to the shaft by means of a bolt d jj arerelease-pins mounted in sockets b on the frame I) and normally projectedupwardly by means of springs in said sockets. The pins project throughapertures in the carrier-platefand are arranged to extend into aperturesin the folder it. The upward movement of the pins is limited and theirvertical adjustment provided for by means of locknuts j j engaging thescrew-threaded lower ends of the pins. \Vhen the plates fand h are intheir normal depressed positions, (shown in Fig. 2,) the apertures inthe plates register, and the pins serve to hold the plates from relativehorizontal movement. hen, however, the plates-are raised by means of theaction of the treadle-rod g on the bar g, these pins are graduallywithdrawn from the apertures in the upper plate or folder h, and whenthe plates have risen a sufficient distance the folder-plate slides overthe tops of the pins, as I shall hereinafter explain.

m is a gage which may be made in a separate piece and adjustably securedto the upper side of the folder-plate h, as shown in Figs. 1 to 9,inclusive, by means of screws m m, occupying slots in the gage, or saidgage may be formed, as shown in Fig. 10, by cutting out the edge of thefolder-plate, so as to form a fixed shoulder 3.

In operating the folding-machine apiece of work is placed on one of thetables 0 with its edge against the gage 'm and projecting over the inneredge of the table, the rotary frame b being in such a position that thebar 9 on the corresponding side of the machine is 10- When the rotaryframe 1'; is turned to cated directly over the treadle-rod g, and thehooked plate d is in position to be engaged by the other treadle-rod 61tion is then to depress the treadle d and bring the folder down againstthe work, as shown in Fig. 6. The'treadle g is then depressed to raisethe platesf h from the position shown in said figure to the positionshown in Fig- 7. This causes the folder-plate h to rise above the topsof the release-pins and allows the springs 71. to project said foldertoward the clamping member. The point at which the fold er is releaseddepends upon the vertical adjustment of the release-pinsj, and this isdetermined by adjusting the nntsj j on the-lower ends of said pins.While the folder is rising it causes the edgeof thework The firstoperato be bent up at right angles to the main portion thereof, and thenas the folder slips over the edge of the for-mere it produces the fold,as shown in Fig. 7. The former is then withdrawn to the position shownin Fig.8 by manipulating the handle 6''. The tension of the springs inthe sockets b causes the folderh to be pressed down against the work andprevents the latter from being displaced by the withdrawal of theformer-blade. The springs j'j permit the release-pinsjj to yielddownwardly when the folder it is thus projected and exerting a downwardcompressing action on the material. The parts are left in the positionshown in Fig. 8, so as to set the fold while the operator rotates theframe I) and brings the other side of the apparatus in front of him. Thebar g and hooked plate 61 in this movement are removed from operativerelation with the treadle-rods. This same movement of rotating the tableto bring the other side of the apparatus before the operator causes thereleaseof the piece of work which has been under pressure in the foldingmechanism on said other side. The release is accomplished by meansof acam 9 with which the under side of eachof the bars 9 is provided,comint, in contact with a roller-stud k, mounted on the base a. Thisraises the cam slightly, so as to relieve the pressure of the folder itupon the fold in the work, while the cam 2' at the same instant engagesthe roll 7L5 and draws the folder h back into its normal position. Thisoperation is shown in Fig. 9. The folded piece may then be removed and afresh one put in place and the operation of folding and pressing the newpiece proceeded the frame, and means for alternately operating the twofolders, substantially as set forth.

2. A folding-machine comprising a base, a frame rotatable thereon, twotables affixed to the frame at opposite sides of its axis, twofolder-carriers vertically movable between the tables, two foldersmounted on said carriers and movable vertically therewith, the foldersbeing also movable horizontally over the inner edges of the tables, andmeans for operating the said carriers and their folders alternately.

3. A folding-machine comprising a base, a frame rotatable thereon, twotables rigidly secured to the outer portion of the frame, twofolderslocated between the tables and the axis of the rotary frame,means for alternately actuating said folders to fold pieces of material,and means operated by the rotation of the table, for alternatelyretracting said folders to release the folded pieces.

4. A folding-machine comprising a worksupporting table, a former, avertically-movable spring-depressed folder-carrier, means for elevatingsaid carrier, a horizontally-movable folder mounted onsaid carrier, andhaving its upper edge normally flush with the work-supportingtable,theWorkinitially overlapping said upper edge and means for operating saidfolder.

5. A folding-machine comprising a vertically-movable folder-carrier andmeans for actuating the same, a foldermountedon said carrier, a springnormally projecting said folder in the direction of the work meansadapted to restrain the folder during a portion of an upward movement ofthe carrier and to release the folder during a subsequent portion ofsaid movement and allow the same to be projected to fold the work, andmeans for positively retracting the folder.

6. A folding-machine comprising a vertically-movable folder-carrier andmeans for operating the same, a spring-projected horizontally-movablefolder mounted on said carrier, means adapted to restrain the folderduring a portion of an upward movement of the carrier and to release thefolder during a subsequent portion of said movement, and provisions foradjusting said means to vary the point of release.

7 A folding-machine comprising a frame, a folder-carrier verticallymovable thereon, means for operating said carrier, a springprojectedhorizontally-movable folder mounted on said carrier, release-pinsyieldingly attached to the frame and adapted to engage the folder toprevent its projection during a portion of an upward movement of thecarrier and to release the folder during a subsequent portion of saidmovement, and means for vertically adjusting said pins.

8. A folding-machine comprising a frame, two tables rigidly securedthereto, two vertically-movable spring-depressed folder-carriers, meansfor elevating the same, two folders mounted on said carriers and movablehorizontally toward and away from each other, means for automaticallyprojecting each folder away from the other after a predetermined upwardmovement of its carrier, and means for retracting the folders.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my'signature in presence of twoWitnesses.

NATHAN HAYWARD. Witnesses:

O. F. BROWN, A. D. HARRISON.

